The heat of the Oak District had yet to dissipate, and Szell had already followed the aroma of caramel to the candy store on the corner. The exterior of the store was painted in a soft goose-yellow color, and the windows were filled with crystal-clear glass jars of candies of various colors that sparkled like jewels in the morning light. A brass bell hangs above the store door, and when it is rung in the wind, it flutters down with tiny bits of gold dust.
Push open the stained-glass door and you will be greeted by the warmth and sweetness of the store. The aroma of vanilla, honey and ripe strawberries are intertwined, reminding you of the best afternoons of your childhood. The walls of the store are plastered with vintage floral wallpaper, and hundreds of handmade origami cranes dangle from the ceiling, each with the tips of their wings dripping with icing.
"Good afternoon, dear guest."
Behind the counter stood a young girl with a strawberry apron and candy-shaped hairpins pinned to her chestnut curls. She was stirring the syrup in a copper pot with a silver spoon, bringing up amber-colored swirls as she flipped her wrist.
"Would you like to try today's special rose salt caramel?" She scooped up a spoonful of syrup and pulled golden threads through the air, "With dewy roses picked early in the morning."
Szell's eyes swept over the well-stocked candy cabinet. Crystal bowls held color-changing star fudge, chocolates shaped into miniature books lined the pine shelves, and glass jars contained amber candies with real flower petals inside. Most striking of all was the strawberry cake candy on the center display stand, decorated with a creamy pattern that was surprisingly slowly unfurling, like a living flower.
"This is the store's signature. "A young girl - her name tag on her chest reads "Lillian" - holds out a gilded porcelain plate, "Singing Lemon Candy. "
The candies on the plate did indeed emit a subtle hum, like an octave melody from a distant land. When Szell picked one up, the candy vibrated gently in her palm, playing a snippet of "To Alice.
On a small cast-iron table in the corner of the store, several children were sitting around sharing rainbow-colored clouds of cotton candy. Every time they take a bite, bubbles of the corresponding color emerge from the tip of their noses. The little boy in the strappy pants excitedly pointed at Simi, "Look! The new sister has butterflies in her hair!"
Lillian smiled and handed over a carved handheld mirror. It was only then that Simi realized that there were several frosting-congealed blue butterflies resting on the tips of her hair, gently opening and closing their wings as she breathed.
"It's a welcome gift from the store." Lillian winked and took out a gift box tied with a silver ribbon from under the counter, "Pansy preserves, when eaten you can dream of the person you want to see the most."
Simin was about to thank him when his eyes suddenly caught a glimpse of the Customer Code with gold trim hanging on the right wall:
1. Please do not ask about the ingredients of the candies
2. You must leave before sunset
3. Do not buy candies wrapped in blue
4. If you see tears in your candy, notify the clerk immediately.
5. Remember, your favorite flavor is strawberry
The code was in an odd, hot-stamped font, with certain strokes looking like tiny gears. A few flashes of an eerie blue color did flash in the shadows of the corner as Szeth gazed at the third rule, but again it was just plain shelving when he fixed his eyes on it.
"Would you like a cup of flower tea with candy?" Lillian's voice rang out at the right time. In the bone china cup she was holding, cornflowers were slowly blooming in the hot water, forming a picture of a flowing starry sky.
The old gramophone by the window suddenly turned automatically and played a lighthearted round dance tune. Lillian hummed the melody, her skirt swaying gently to the rhythm, the tips of her shoes picking up tiny grains of sugar as they hit the ground. Several candy canes suddenly made a pleasant clattering sound at this point, as if they were accompanying her.
"Every day at three o'clock in the afternoon," Lillian said as she placed a teaspoon on the embroidered napkin in front of Szass, "we have a candy-making show."
The teaspoon handle was engraved with a tiny clover pattern, just like the one on Robert's ring. Szass looked up just in time to see the same symbol dangling from the silver chain around Lillian's neck.
The door to the store was pushed open again, bringing in a rose-scented breeze. Twin girls in plaid skirts ran in hand in hand, their braided tails tied with glowing candy beads that left rainbow-colored shadows in the air as they ran.
"Sister Lillian!" They shouted in unison, "We want to buy toffee that tells stories!"
Lillian removed a carved tin box from deep within the counter. When she opened it, the candy inside was telling bits of Alice in Wonderland in different voices. As the twins moved closer to listen, projections of the corresponding scenes floated on the surface of the candy.
Simone picked up the flower tea and took a sip. The moment the tea hit her throat, she suddenly saw a few grains of silver powder swimming in the bottom of the cup, forming an ever-changing constellation pattern. When she fixed her eyes on it again, it was just ordinary
tea leaf ends again.
"Your key is beautiful." One of the twins suddenly pointed at Siwei's waist, "It looks like the one in my father's collection room."
Her sister immediately covered her mouth, "Dad said not to mention the collection-"
Lillian interrupted them just in time, handing over a plate of bouncing peppermint candies. The candies clashed in the tray with a crisp sound, like they were playing a cheerful marching song.
Sunlight poured in through the stained glass windows, casting specks of light on the wooden floor. Those spots of light gently leapt in rhythm with the music, gradually forming a silhouette of the dancers. As Simi watched, Lillian quietly placed a candy wrapped in gold foil in her hand.
"A special treat." She leaned in close and whispered in Simi's ear, "It holds the most beautiful secret of Behemoth."
The store's seat clock suddenly struck four times, and all the candies glowed softly at the same instant. Lillian blushed slightly and walked quickly to the door to flip the business sign.
"Sorry, we're about to close." She gently but firmly guided the guests away, "There will be freshly boiled maple syrup early tomorrow morning."
As the last customer left, Lillian removed her apron to reveal a small line embroidered on the lined pocket, "Sweetness is the perfect disguise." As she turned to lock the door, Szell clearly saw her shadow move half a beat slower than it actually did.
"Feel free to come back anytime." Lillian inserted the silver key into the lock hole and turned her head to send Szell a sweet smile, "Remember, your favorite has always been strawberry flavor."
The moment the store door closed, Szass noticed that the fifth rule of the Customer Code was slowly changing, the hot gold lettering twisting into a new sentence:
"Remember, you've never been here before."